The USCGC Stratton (WMSL 752) holds an important new place in defending American borders and serving our country’s interests wherever she is needed. A National Security Cutter (also known as a Legend-class cutter), she is superbly equipped to succeed in even the most demanding of missions.

Named after Captain Dorothy Stratton, former director of the United States Coast Guard Reserve during World War II, the ship and her crew have lived up to Stratton’s legacy of pride in service and strength of character. Captain Stratton, who lived to the venerable age of 107, received her Ph.D. from Columbia University in the late 1920s and went on to be a Dean at Purdue University in 1933, the first female Dean in the school’s history. In June, 1942 Captain Stratton took a leave of absence from Purdue and entered the armed services where she quickly made a name for herself as an excellent leader and advocate for women in the military.

Commissioned on 31 March 2012, the USCGC Stratton has a displacement of approximately 4,500 long tons and carries a crew of over 111 officers and enlisted personnel. Due to its diverse support capabilities, the Stratton is ideally suited for a variety of critical missions including intercepting suspect vessels, search and rescue, fishery protection, maritime homeland security missions, counter terrorism, or coastal patrol missions. To facilitate intercept missions, the USCGC Stratton carries both the Short Range Prosecutor and the Long Range Interceptor.

Minted from solid bronze, and finished with an antique patina, this coin pays tribute to the USCGC Stratton and salutes the exceptional service of her crew. The obverse contains a port view of the USCGC Stratton with the words: “Semper Paratus” and the translation “Always Ready,” with the phrase “We Can’t Afford Not To” underneath. The reverse displays the logo of the U.S. Coast Guard.